With that, lunch took a decidedly depressing turn.
“Don’t remind me,” Grover said.
“Have the police been back to ask you any questions?”
“I had to go into the police station to give a formal statement,” Grover said.
“Did you take a lawyer with you?”
“No,” Grover answered, a sheepish look coming over his face.
“Why not?” Daisy asked, putting her fork down and staring at her friend.
“Because it makes me look guilty, don’t you think?” Grover asked.
“No. It makes you look smart. Grover, you have to take this thing seriously.”
“I am,” Grover said in a beseeching voice. He made a pleading gesture with his hands. “I just think that the minute I take a lawyer in with me, they’re going to think I have something to hide.”
“I just don’t want to see you get in deeper,” Daisy said, her gaze softening. “I can’t stand the thought of you being arrested. It would ruin your career, your life, everything.”
“I know. Believe me, I’ve thought of that,” Grover replied. He put his elbow on the table and set his chin miserably in his hand.
“I’m sure the police are going to investigate all the links between the two victims, if they haven’t already,” Daisy said in an effort to cheer him up. “That’ll take any focus away from you, I would think.
“And there’s something I didn’t tell you yet,” Daisy continued. “Melody was in the parking lot of the funeral home after the funeral. Just watching. She didn’t go into the funeral home, as far as I know.”
Grover’s eyes widened. “Why do you suppose she was there?”
Daisy shrugged. “I don’t know. Morbid curiosity, maybe. Or maybe she just wanted to assure herself that Fiona was dead.”
“They say murderers sometimes do stuff like that--like visiting the cemetery or showing up at the funeral home or even revisiting the scene of the crime. I’ll bet she killed both of them, Daisy.”
“You might be right,” Daisy said. They sat in silence for a couple minutes.
“Speaking of leaving things out, there’s also something I didn’t tell you,” Grover finally said.
Daisy didn’t like the way that sounded. “What do you talking about?” she asked, drawing her words out slowly.
“I should have said something sooner, but Walt disagreed about the amount of the catering bill,” Grover explained.
“Tell me that’s not true, Grover.”
“It is true.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Daisy asked.
“I didn’t think it was important at first,” Grover said, shaking his head.
“You definitely should have said something sooner. Do the police know?”
“Yes. Brian told them.” Daisy closed her eyes and shook her head.
“How did Brian know that Walt disputed the catering bill?”
“I guess Brian is on that retirement committee with Walt, or was, and Walt mentioned it to him. When the police talked to Brian, apparently he told them about his conversation with Walt.”
“Did Walt talk to you about the bill, or just Brian?”
“He mentioned it to me.”
Daisy closed her eyes and shook her head. “Grover, this looks bad. What did you say when he brought up the amount of the bill?”
“I told him that was the amount I had quoted before the party and that he had an obligation to pay it.”
“Did you have the conversation at his house?”
“No--over the phone before I got there.”
“And how was it resolved?”
“I knocked three hundred dollars off the bill just to collect the money and be done with him.”
“That’s probably not a good thing for you.” A cold worry was beginning to gnaw the inside of Daisy’s stomach.
“Why not?”
“Because he refused to pay the whole bill and now he’s dead.”
“Who would kill someone over three hundred dollars?” Grover asked.
“Don’t you read the news?” Daisy asked, exasperated. “It happens more often than you’d think.”
Grover took a deep breath in an effort to calm himself. “Daisy, what am I going to do?”
“If the police ask any follow-up questions about it, just tell the truth. There are enough people who could have killed Walt that hopefully they’ll be investigating other suspects. In the meantime, maybe I can find out more about...I don’t know, about anything.”
“Okay. You’ll keep me posted?”
“Of course. It helps that I work with Jude and Mark John, so maybe I can glean some information at the office. Mark John should be returning to work before long.”
“I have a party tonight,” Grover said, signaling for the checks. “I’ve got to run.”
“Need any help?” Daisy asked.
“This is a small one,” he said. “Tish and I can handle it.”
“Maybe I should come along anyway, just to make sure you don’t do or say anything stupid,” Daisy said with a grin. Her attempt to lighten the mood fell flat, though.
“You’re probably right,” Grover said with a grimace. “Maybe I should just wear a muzzle.”
He paid his bill and gave Daisy a sad smile before leaving. Daisy knew she was going to have to work fast if she was going to clear Grover’s name.